Holiday travel is picking up at CVG: busiest days, times, tips

With nearly half a million travelers expected to pass through CVG over the holidays, airport officials are urging passengers to plan ahead and arrive early.

Here is what you need to know:

• Passenger volume is expected to be up by 2% compared to last year’s December holiday travel.
• About 450,000 passengers are expected to travel through the airport from Dec. 19 through Jan. 4. 
• The busiest travel days are expected to be Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19-20, and Saturday, Dec. 27. 
• The busiest time for departures is expected to be between 5 and 7 a.m.; arrivals remain steady from mid-morning through 11 p.m.
• Top destinations based on advance booking information: Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, Fort Myers, New York, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas.

CVG travel tips:              

• All passengers are advised to arrive in the TSA line at least two hours before a flight within the US and three hours before an international flight. 
• Check TSA’s website for what you can bring through security.
• TSA recommends not bringing wrapped gifts through the security checkpoint, as there is a chance agents will need to unwrap them.  
• Remember the 3-1-1 rule for carry-ons: Any liquid must be 3.4 ounces or less, with all liquids fitting in a one-quart bag, one bag per passenger.
• For those who have both CLEAR and TSA Pre-Check, the security checkpoint now offers CLEAR eGates, which speeds up the security screening process by using biometric software to match the traveler’s facial image to their identity document and boarding pass.
• Click here to view expected TSA wait times, parking availability, and food options. Chick-fil-A has moved to a larger location in the food court, enabling an expanded menu that now includes entrée salads. The newest restaurant is Urban Crave in Concourse A.
• Passengers should contact their airline in advance if they need special assistance, such as wheelchair assistance.
• CVG offers parking reservations in the CVG Terminal Garage, CVG ValuPark, and CVG Economy Lot. Click here to reserve a spot.  
• Please wait in the Cell Phone Lot if you are picking up someone at the airport. You will not be able to wait at the curbside. Curbside is reserved for active loading and unloading only.